Santiago Canizares, La Liga legend
Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images
Kylian Mbappe’s vacations seem to be one of the favourite topics of the Spanish media, for they easily blow up into controversy with little to no basis time and time again.
It is indeed true that the player is often sighted on vacation at unconventional times. Most recently, he was spotted in Paris with his partner after being relieved from national team duty.
It is said that the player’s vacation was approved by the club and Jose Mourinho, and he is back in Madrid now for his recovery.
On social media, however, he posted a clip of himself on a bicycle which has faced much backlash from the Real Madrid and France faithful.
Former player comes out in Mbappe’s defence
Santiago Canizares, La Liga icon
Santi Canizares has come out in Mbappe’s defense.(Photo by Nadine Rupp/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Former Spain and Real Madrid player Santi Canizares spoke to the media in a recent interview via Defensa Central where he came out to back Mbappe amid the bicycle controversy.
“Let’s rule one thing out: maybe Mbappe only rode his bike for 100 meters. It’s just mind-boggling, this whole bike thing,” he began.
“He’s riding a mountain bike, but he might just be going from the hotel to the pool,” he added.
The former player also lashed out at fans for making a massive deal over a small moment in the player’s personal life.
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid superstar
Mbappe will be back against Villarreal. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)
“It seems to me that people are making a huge deal out of this bike thing – really, completely.”
He then pointed out examples of how biking is extremely common and why such a big fuss should not be made of it, saying,
“We, on the Spanish national team, had a day—during a training camp in the Netherlands—when we rode our bikes to the training field, which was a kilometre away.”
“The Spanish national team players also rode bikes around New York two days before the final,” he added.
As matters stand, the Frenchman is expected to bale back in action for Real Madrid in their first game after the international break. His performances after his return from injury, needless to say, will be crucial to win back the fans’ favour.
Arda Guler, Real Madrid and Turkiye player
Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images
In a season where Real Madrid have largely struggled to keep pace with leaders Barcelona, Arda Guler has been one of the few bright sparks.
Despite his limited minutes, the Turkish international has shown that he is capable of becoming a first-team regular for Los Blancos, especially at a time when others, including Vinicius Jr. are struggling to make an impact.
Guler was notably named in Real Madrid’s five-player star of the month for September and the player could soon be rewarded with a contract extension as well.
New contract for Arda Guler
According to AS, Guler has agreed terms for a new deal at Real Madrid, in what could be the club’s first major renewal for the new season.
Arda Guler of Real Madrid
Guler has done well with limited opportunities. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The young Turk’s current deal at the Bernabeu expires in 2029. But the renewal will ensure his future at the club at least until 2031.
The new contract will effectively acknowledge Guler’s growing role in the Real Madrid first-team and include a salary-increase.
The negotiations between the two parties had started last month and has now come to fruition, with Guler more than happy to continue his chapter at Real Madrid.
He also joins a long list of Real Madrid players with long-term contracts, including Yan Diomande, Vinicius Jr., Marc Cucurella, Aurelien Tchouameni and others.
An important season ahead
Arda Guler, Real Madrid star
Can Guler become a first-team regular this season? (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)
With the contract likely to be finalised soon, Arda Guler’s main goal will be continue to his form when the season restarts next weekend.
The forward has been involved in four goals in seven matches this season. With Vinicius and Diomande struggling for form, the Turkish international will have an excellent opportunity to become a regular starter for Jose Mourinho throughout the course of the campaign.
Mourinho, for his part, must identify how to get the best out of both Guler and an in-form Jude Bellingham. If the two can somehow work together in the final third, Real Madrid could find themselves dominating most matches.